BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
[0001] The present invention relates to GSM telephone communications that use short message
service (SMS) text messaging, and more particularly to the delivery of any SMS text
after a call is ended and authenticating the source of the delivered text message
with a logo or other graphic not forwardable by mobile phone subscribers.
2. Description of Background Information.
[0002] The Short Message Service (SMS) defines sending and receiving mobile telephone text
messages. SMS is part of the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) digital
standard. An SMS text can comprise of words or numbers or an alphanumeric combination
for up to 160 characters of text in length using default GSM alphabet coding. SMS
has become extremely popular because it can be used when voice is not the easiest
or best communications medium. For example, it may be difficult or troublesome to
listen to a voice call, jot down information at the same time and enter the information
into the memory of the mobile phone. SMS provides an easy way to send information
to a mobile phone subscriber and retrieve it later from the mobile telephone's local
memory.
[0003] Apart from transmission of simple information, SMS is increasingly used as an advertising
channel such as with a "Sponsored Call" service application. The Sponsored Call service
provides a mobile phone subscriber an option to listen to a pre-recorded audio advertisement
provided by a sponsor and to receive a portion of their call paid for by the sponsor.
When the mobile phone subscriber chooses to listen to an audio message -typically
an advertisement message, they may also simultaneously receive an SMS message relating
to the audio message for future access to the same information. The SMS text message
is displayed on the mobile phone and stored in the local phone memory.
[0004] The conventional Sponsored Call service has a few disadvantages. Although the Sponsored
Call service integrates audio and SMS advertising, the accompanying SMS text message
is automatically sent to the subscriber simultaneous with the audio advertisement
message. Subscribers may be bothered by these unwanted SMS messages, and the advertising
effect may therefore be reduced. Some of these SMS messages may contain discounts
to products and services, e.g., electronic or mobile coupons ("m-coupons"). But offering
m-coupons through SMS messages to every subscriber listening to the audio message,
and allowing the SMS message to be easily forwarded to other subscribers , reduces
the appeal and apparent worth of the m-coupons.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to a method and a system for transmitting audio and
SMS messages to a mobile phone subscriber in a mobile telecommunications network and
authenticating the source of the SMS message.
[0006] According to a method embodiment of the present invention, a Sponsor Call service
is initiated by a mobile phone subscriber. The subscriber is identified and appropriate
audio advertisement messages and/or SMS messages are selected according to the subscriber
profile information maintained in a database. The audio message is transmitted and
played to the subscriber. If the subscriber wants to receive an associated SMS message
or m-coupon, they are prompted to press a particular request key. A test is made to
see if the subscriber is eligible to receive such SMS message. If not, an alternative
message is sent. An authenticating symbol may be included in a User Data Header of
the SMS message so that if the subscriber tries to forward the message to another
mobile phone user, the authenticating symbol will be missing and thus indicate the
source is not the sponsor.
[0007] An advantage of the present invention is a system is provided that always delivers
SMS messages non-intrusively and timely, each SMS message is transmitted only on subscriber
request and only after the underlying telephone call has ended.
[0008] Another advantage of the present invention is a method is provided for using an authenticating
symbol in each message that helps prevent the impersonation of advertisers and limit
the duplication of message.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009]
Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a GSM-SMS phone embodiment of the present
invention; and
Fig. 2 is a flowchart diagram of a method embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Fig. 1 represents a system embodiment of the present invention, and is referred to
herein by the general reference numeral 100. The system 100 comprises an OpenCall
Media Platform 102 (OCMP), a Call Media Server 104 (CMS) as part of the OCMP 102,
an SMS gateway module 106, an advertisement (ad) delivery system 108, an operator's
SMS center 110 (SMSC), a wireless telecommunications network 112, and a mobile phone
unit 114. For example, the OpenCall Media Platform 102 can be implemented with a voice
service platform that enables rapid development, and secure deployment of next generation
unified communications, portals and enhanced voice-enabled interactive services, directly
into service provider networks. See Hewlett-Packard OpenCall platforms described at
www.hp.com/communications/opencall. HP OpenCall is a suite of comprehensive, carrier-grade platforms for developing
and deploying next-generation voice, data and converged services. HP OpenCall platforms
connect to any network and enable people to use phones to communicate, access information,
and conduct transactions in an always-on infrastructure.
[0011] The Call Media Server 104 (CMS) is preferably implemented with a Java service that
runs on the OCMP 102. It deals with call progression of mobile telephone subscribers
and includes a call state machine to handle a sponsored call. The CMS 104 connects
incoming calls to destination numbers, updates remaining free airtime, interfaces
with the Ad Delivery system 108 to play audio messages, and transmits DTMF tone requests
for SMS text messages to the SMS gateway module 106. The Call Media Server 104 connects
an incoming call to a specified destination party, disconnects the call parties at
the end of a call and disconnects a trunk leg to play advertisements and messages.
Further, the CMS 104 plays an initial audio message and audio advertisement message
for sponsored calls, detects a change from a sponsored to a non-sponsored mode, interfaces
with an advertisement management system of the Ad Delivery system 108 for retrieving
a list of advertisements, and transmits the DTMF tones from a subscriber to the SMS
gateway module 106.
[0012] The SMS Gateway module 106 transmits SMS messages and m-coupons to subscriber requesting
them by pressing a predetermined DTMF key while listening to an audio advertisement
during a sponsored call. Prior to transmitting the SMS message to the subscriber,
the SMS gateway 106 fetches the requested SMS message from the Ad Delivery System
108. The SMS gateway 106 also decides whether to transmit the m-coupon to the subscriber,
and if it decides to transmit then it automatically inserts an authenticating symbol
into the coupons to guard against source impersonation and fraud.
[0013] The Ad Delivery system 108 includes a database for advertisement and subscriber profile
management. The advertisement management function associates the audio advertisements
with corresponding SMS m-coupons. It tracks which SMS m-coupons have already been
offered to the subscriber to prevent duplications. The subscriber profile management
function associates subscribers and their profiles to find an appropriate set of audio
advertisement messages to deliver during a sponsored call.
[0014] Fig. 2 represents a method embodiment of the present invention, and is referred to
herein by the general reference numeral 200. The method 200 starts in a SUBSCRIBER
INITIATES SPONSORED CALL step 202, where a mobile phone subscriber initiates a call
and selects the Sponsor Call service. Such Sponsor Call service provides a subsidy
by a sponsor in return for accepting an advertisement message from the sponsor. The
call is lodged, for example, with the OCMP 102 (Fig. 1) and received by the Call Media
Server 104.
[0015] The Call Media Server 104 querries the Ad Delivery System 108 to select pre-recorded
audio advertisement messages based on the subscriber's profile in a SELECT MESSAGE
BASED ON SUBSCRIBER'S PROFILE step 204. Such messages are targeted to the preferences
of the particular subscribers. Subscriber preferences and areas of interest are stored
in a database in the Ad Delivery System 108, e.g., a subscriber database 116. A process
in the Ad Delivery system 108 matches the subscriber to a corresponding subscriber
profile in the subscriber database 116 and accesses the database contents in a SELECT
MESSAGE BASED ON SUBSCRIBER'S PROFILE step 204. The subscriber is identified by a
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). In step 204, audio advertising messages are selected
and SMS messages are pre-associated with each audio message. Alternatively, step 204
may extend to support the selection of both audio and SMS messages. The purpose in
selecting advertisements based on a subscriber's profile is to increase the effectiveness
of the advertising. An example of a subscriber's profile may be a location-based factor.
A location server may be integrated with the OpenCall Media Platform 102 so that the
location of the subscriber at the time of initiating the call cal be one determinant
in selecting appropriate audio advertisement messages. The current location of the
subscriber may be determined using GSM technology, Global Positioning System (GPS)
technology, etc.
[0016] In a PLAY AUDIO ADVERTISEMENT MESSAGE step 206, the appropriate audio messages are
transmitted through wireless telecommunication network 112 and played to the subscriber.
[0017] During or after the audio advertisement message, the subscriber can choose, e.g.,
to receive an m-coupon for "30% discount on all GOR-MAY products". The choices are
lodged by the user by pressing the Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) keys on the handset
keypad. An IS DTMF KEY PRESSED? decision step 208 looks for the subscriber's response.
If the subscriber does not wish to receive the associated SMS message, they may press
another key as instructed, disconnect the call , etc. The method 200 will then proceed
to an END step 210. If the subscriber wants the m-coupon, they press the specified
key to generate a DTMF tone. Such DTMF tone is transmitted to the Open Call Media
Platform 102 and requests the associated SMS message via SMS gateway 106 in a TRANSMIT
REQUEST TO SMS GATEWAY step 212.
[0018] The SMS gateway 106 interacts with the Ad Delivery system 108 to get the requested
SMS message in a GET SMS MESSAGE step 214. The SMS gateway 106 also checks whether
the subscriber is eligible to receive the SMS message in an IS SUBSCRIBER ELIGIBLE
TO RECEIVE THIS SMS MESSAGE? decision step 216. If the subscriber is not eligible
to receive this SMS message, the method 200 then proceeds to a TRANSMIT ALTERNATIVE
MESSAGE step 218, where the subscriber may receive an alternative SMS message. If
the subscriber is eligible to receive the SMS message, the method 200 proceeds to
an EMBED LOGO step 220.
[0019] Subscriber message eligibility may be pre-defined by the relevant sponsor. One objective
for defining eligibility is to limit the number of m-coupons or SMS messages with
the same content. Some examples of eligibility conditions include: "Is subscriber
receiving this SMS message for the first time?", "Is subscriber receiving this SMS
message for less than 'X' times?, where 'X' is predetermined by the sponsor" and "Is
subscriber receiving this SMS message for less than 'X' times during 'Y' time period?,
where 'Y' is also predetermined by the sponsor".
[0020] Existing m-coupons or SMS messages can be forwarded from a subscriber to another
mobile phone user. A subscriber that did not subscribe to the Sponsor Call service
or listen to the audio message can also benefit from the associated SMS messages or
m-coupons. But to prevent other users from benefiting, an authenticating symbol is
embedded in the SMS message. If the subscriber forwards the SMS message to another
mobile phone user, the logo will be automatically and unavoidably deleted while the
remaining portion of the SMS message is forwarded intact. Retailers can thus be warned
not to accept any m-coupons or SMS messages lacking the authenticating symbol, such
as the sponsor's logo. Such logo is preferably placed in a prominent position. For
example, by displaying it in the background or foreground of the message, to prevent
unauthorized and indiscriminate distribution of the m-coupons. The logo may be embedded
in an encoded format in a User Data Header of the SMS message. For example, see the
GSM standards and provided by the ETSI organization, especially GSM 03.40 and GSM
03.38.
[0021] After the EMBED LOGO step 220, the SMS message is transmitted to the subscriber via
the telecommunication operator's SMS center 110 and the wireless network 112 in a
TRANSMIT SMS MESSAGE step 222. The SMS message is transmitted to the subscriber only
after the call initiated by the subscriber ends to ensure the SMS message is not sent
in the midst of the call but after it concludes.
[0022] When the SMS message is successfully transmitted, the transmission status is updated
in the Ad Delivery system 108 in an UPDATE STATUS step 224. The transmission count
to subscribers for each type of SMS message is stored in a database for use in a feedback
mechanism. The feedback mechanism is incorporated in the IS SUBSCRIBER ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE THIS SMS MESSAGE? decision step 216 for (1) measuring effectiveness of the
advertising efforts and (2) for preventing an excessive number of m-coupons or SMS
messages from being sent to the same subscriber. In the former purpose, such data
may be collated for enabling the sponsors to assess and refine their advertising strategies.
In the latter purpose, the collated data is used to ascertain whether a subscriber
is eligible to receive a particular m-coupon or SMS message to limit the number of
times a same SMS message or m-coupons can be transmitted to a particular subscriber.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of the present embodiments,
it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be interpreted as limiting. Various
alterations and modifications will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the
art after having read the above disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended
claims be interpreted as covering all alterations and modifications as fall within
the "true" spirit and scope of the invention.
1. A method for transmitting SMS messages, comprising:
recognizing a particular subscriber has initiated a GSM telephone call ;
associating said particular subscriber with any subscriber profile information maintained
in a database;
selecting an SMS message for transmission to said particular subscriber depending
on said subscriber profile information;
including an authenticating symbol in said SMS message that cannot be forwarded by
said particular subscriber; and
transmitting said SMS message and said authenticating symbol at the conclusion of
said GSM telephone call.
2. The method according to Claim 1 further comprising the step of:
ascertaining any eligibility of said particular subscriber to receive said SMS message.
3. The method according to Claim 1, further comprising the step of:
preventing any forwarding of said authenticating symbol to any another destination
by blocking its retransmission in a copy of said SMS message.
4. The method according to Claim 2, wherein:
the step of ascertaining any eligibility further comprises limiting the number of
times said SMS message can be transmitted to any subscriber.
5. The method according to Claim 1, wherein:
the step of transmitting is such that an alternative message is sent if said particular
subscriber is determined to not be eligible to receive said SMS message based on an
eligibility criteria.
6. The method according to Claim 1, wherein the step of selecting an SMS message is initiated
in response to a user input.
7. The method according to Claim 1, wherein the step of associating includes determining
current location of said subscriber and using an SMS message appropriate for said
current location.
8. An SMS messaging system, comprising:
a database for storing a set of mobile telephone subscriber profiles ;
a call handler for dealing with the call progression of a particular mobile telephone
subscriber;
an associating process for matching particular ones of said mobile telephone subscribers
to a corresponding one of said mobile telephone subscriber profiles; and
an SMS message servicer for transmitting a selected SMS message with an embedded authenticating
symbol to a particular mobile telephone subscriber who is determined to be eligible
to receive such based on said corresponding one of said subscriber profiles.
9. The messaging system according to Claim 8, wherein the call handler accepts user requests
for SMS messages during a call progression.
10. The messaging system according to Claim 8, wherein said authenticating symbol is embedded
in said SMS message but is nevertheless not forwardable.
11. The messaging system according to Claim 8, wherein the SMS message servicer transmits
an alternative message to said particular mobile telephone subscriber if otherwise
ineligible to receive the said selected SMS message based on a criteria.
12. The messaging system according to Claim 8, wherein: said mobile telephone subscriber
profile includes a current location entry for said subscriber.
13. The messaging system according to Claim 8, further comprising: a database for storing
a count of how many SMS messages have been sent to any subscriber in order to limit
duplications.